Thursday, July 22, 2004

New Government in Bandera

After the recent elections in Baracão, newly-elected Minister-General Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar has formed a provisional government, consisting of:

Juan Fidel Valencia and Julio Sanchez de Frente as Minister and Deputy Minister of Economics and Finance

Diego de Almagro and Jesus Pablo Santiago as Minister and Deputy Minister of the Exterior
Martinez Agulfago Saetrez and Salomon Viviano as Minister and Deputy Minister of the Interior

One of the more surprising of Carrar's move has been to effectively dissolve the Ministry of Defence by not appointing a Minister. Jesus Pablo Santiago, Minister-General ad interim, who recently defected to the Frente Popular's Partido Comunista Nacional, has suggested that the Ministry of the Interior create a Department of Defence, harking back to the Socialist Republic's Ministry of the Interior, that was made up of the Departments of Education, Citizens' Affairs (Justice) and Infrastructure.

So far, the provisional government has approached the Republic of Talamthom, a relatively new Celtic-themed nation, with a treaty drafted by Diego de Almagro and presented by Salomon Viviano, ambassador to Talamthom, to the government in Baile na hAlainn. It is hoped that relations between the two countries will be fruitful, and high hopes are held for Article Eight of the treaty that encourages cultural exchanges between the two Republics.

Whilst the government is only provisional until Carrar returns from a leave of absence (which many anti-Frentists on the streets of Bandera suspect is a period of recovery and sobering-up after the eletoral victory celebrations, in which Carrar was seen to be dancing in the fountains off Plaza de la Revolución wearing only a red flag), many of the current ministers have expressed an interest in keeping their positions. So far, only Salomon Viviano, currently Ministry of the Interior, has formally applied to keep their job, with others applying for the various positions on offer.

Monday, July 19, 2004

The PCN Storm the Elections!

The workers voice has been heard in the corridors of Government Buildings, Bandera, after an enormous success for the PCN candidates, Juan Fidel Valencia and Julio Sanchez de Frente in the elections, with both being elected with ease to the Council of State. Juan Fidel Valencia, mastermind of the PCN's extensice electoral platform and recently-elected party chairman, won a landslide victory standing 5 points clear of any other candidate. Such support in the elections has allowed the PCN to reassert itself as not only the natural party of both Marxism and socialism in Baracão, but clear the way for the PCN to build on the success so that it may once again take the state into worker's hands.

The narrow victory for Carrar, winning only 1 vote against Santiago, also signifies increasing support for the left in Baracão. Santiago, a socialist, seems to have won traditional left-wing Frente support, showing that there is desire for a return to socialism in Baracão This may cause immense changes in Baracãoan politics as the left once again gains confidence, and the petty bourgeois radicals of the ADN contemplate their huge defeat, and the options left open to them. However, one thing is clear from the PCN victory; Socialism is back on the agenda, and its voice must, and will be heard!

Sunday, July 18, 2004

Frente Carnvial Returns for Another Term

An impromptu carnival has begun on the streets of Bandera as Frentistas poured out of their homes and towards the Presidential Palace and the ever-popular Club Tiego to celebrate news of their victory.

Obviously satisfied with the result, El Presidente was found enjoying a well-earned cigar in Frente Popular headquarters before pressing on to join the fiesta outside. We caught him as he was trying to leave with two salsa dancers and a bottle of rum and asked him his thoughts on the election:

“I am grateful to the people of Baracão who lent me their votes, thank you. To those who did not, I hope you will work with me to better Baracão. The election is won, but the work goes on! Baracão o Muerte!”
Alarico Veto Julia

The election finished with a significant victory for the ruling Frente Popular, a coalition of Tiegist and Tiegist-Minorcan parties. President Alarico Veto Julia beat his rival Devante Covas by twelve votes to seven, widely seen as an endorsement of Alarico’s administration of the Fourth Republic since its foundation earlier this year. In the narrower race for Minister-General only one vote separated Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar on ten votes from Jesus Pablo Santiago on nine. This close result is believed to stem from the perception that both men were the ‘right man for the job’ and had enjoyed an equal measure of cross-party support.

In the weighted preference vote for the Council of State a significant Frente victory was recorded as all three of its candidates were elected to office. Juan Fidel Valencia received twenty-seven points; a controversial legitimate businessman and Caudillo of Nueva Minorca, Don Diego de Almagro, received twenty-five, and PCN expert on Communist theory, Julio Sanchez de Frente, received twenty-two. Candidates of the ADN, which comprises the Partido Democrático Nacional and Partido Social Demócrata, fared poorly and are likely to blame the voting system devised by Electoral Commissioner Rico Noriega, rather than their own policies for their plight. Although defeated, presidential candidate Devante Covas has so far been magnanimous in conceding over-all defeat. Of the ADN candidates Thomas La Antonio received nineteen votes. Kuralyov, self-declared “Grand Old man of Marxism”, received thirteen votes while Christo de Loutrado, whose New Democracy initiative was recently defeated in a Babkhan by-election, received the lowest overall vote, a mere eight.

Polling booths around the Republic closed at around 1 AM in the morning, leaving some bleary eyed voters who had tried to vote after three weeks of blissfully ignoring the state’s exhortations to the populace to register for their Voter Identification Number or VIN. To quote one disappointed voter who will remain nameless said ‘I spent a week on the lash and had no idea that the polls were closing. Frankshly Ish finding the idea that they won’t keep the polling stations open for drunks who arrive late to be prepos..perposh..preposperous … Ish loves you you fashcist pig!’ Naturally even in defeat the ADN are defending the right of a free populace to be lazy and incompetent, to quote Jesus Pablo Santiago; ‘I believe with some results as close as they are, the final six voters who have as yet, not voted, should be given their say.’ That some of the electorate may not have bothered to vote and have no intention of voting seems to have escaped the defeated Minister-General candidate. Newly re-elected President Alerico Veto Julia defended the decision of the Electoral Commissioner to close the poll when he did, rejecting the argument that every last voter should be accounted for:

“There is a difference between a legal entitlement and an obligation. The elections were announced a long time ago and registration began a long time ago. The polls opened a long time ago, too. Whilst we can't vote often, we can vote early, as those who don't vote early risk the chance of finding their polling station closed, as has happened in this instance.”

There seems to be some confusion as to the actual closing date of the polls. The ADN looked at the statement of the Electoral Commissioner Rico Noriega that the polls would close on Sunday 20th July to mean the 20th of July, which is a Tuesday. Whereas the Electoral Commissioner took Sunday to mean… Sunday, which was the 18th of July. Constitutionally the decision rests with the Electoral Commissioner.

Santiago, easily the most plausible of the opposition politicians, has been trying to hold the polls open in an effort to afford some decision on the close results. By a happy coincidence the closest vote of all in the election was for the Minister-Generalship, which Jesus Pablo Santiago lost to Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar by one vote. However, he claims not to be acting out of a personal desire.

Babkhan observers have completed their successful mission of monitoring the Republic of Baracão’s free and fair election. Polling booths closed on Sunday 18 July 2004 with observers so far reporting no irregularities in voting procedure. Nonetheless, given the litigious nature of Baracãoan politics, the Babkhan sitting as Supreme Justice may find himself up against election related cases, doubtless to be mounted by the opposition on behalf of citizens who are otherwise never bothered enough to participate. Before the polls closed, Devante Covas, however, promised not to contest the results of the elections if VINs were published and if citizens confirmed that their votes were correct, a process already begun.

Finally it appears to have been a good night for the Frente Nacional por la Tradición Minorca y Salvación Tiego or FNTMST, with its Caudillo and Secretary-General Don Diego de Almagro receiving the second highest share of the Consejo de Estado votes. This has been seen as a victory for Minorcanismo, and another step in the significant rise of the Don from Almagro, who has moved beyond his past association with the infamous Río de la Sangre cartel, to become the leader of the largest Baracãoan autonomous republic; the Minorcan colony of Nueva Minorca which is freely associated with the Republic on the terms of its own indigenously issued constitution and governed in its relations with the Metropolitan homeland by a Presidential Decree. Diego also looks set to become the Intermicronational face of Baracão as new Minister General Carrar designated him Minister of the Exterior.

We have managed to get an advance copy of Don Diego de Almagro’s latest “Anuncio” to Nueva Minorca that was read out in San Severus Cathedral on Sunday after mass:

“Truly the Frente Popular and Tiegism played their most significant part in winning the publics brave and virtuous support for the rights of Minorcans and other minorities. However we must, in our humility, also ascribe in large measure our deliverance from the diabolical forces to the design of the Almighty. Let the cry go out; raise high the crucifix and blessed reliquary icons of San Severus, sing Te Deum at our deliverance for July 18 2004 is given over to a day of Minorcan thanksgiving.”

Baracãoan Election Results

Rico Noriega, head of the Republic of Baracão's Electoral Commission, has, within the last few minutes, instructed polling stations across the Islas de la Libertad and in Baracão's overseas territories to close.

Voting had already been largely finished, with most citizens having voted early in the electoral period. The preliminary results are as follows, with the succesful candidates in italics:

The shock results show a massive landslide in favour of the Frente Popular, Baracão's current ruling party. Despite the existence of an active and large opposition in the form of the ADN, the Frente Popular has actually increased its power, not only maintaining the offices of President and Minister-General, but winning all three directly-elected seats on the Council of State, in comparison with control over only one of them before the election.

Victory speeches are expected one the Supreme Court has verified the Electoral Commission's counting, with the exception of Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar, who has taken a leave of absence for a period of one week. In this absence, it is expected that Jesus Pablo Santiago, the Nationalist Party's candidate for Minister-General, will assume the position ad interim, at the invitation of Compañero Carrar.

The Electoral Commissioner declined to comment in details on the results, exclaiming "thank god it's over with!"

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Raspur Conference Begins; Delegates Needed

The Raspur Conference on the future of micronationalism has begun. First held in 2003, the Conference deals with several issues, including the establishment of YAMO, the Raspur Intermicronational Community (RAMIC).

The 2003 conference laid down the foundations for such an organisation in the form of a draft charter, and what the 2004 conference focuses on is the details and the purpose of such an organisation.

The Republic of Baracão has been fortunate enough to be placed on the exclusive list of voting nations, including Attera, Babkha and her dependencies, Cyberia and Shireroth. Observers have been received from Feianova, Gotzburg, Antica and Arminy.

So far Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar and Alarico Veto Julia, the Minister of the Exterior and el Presidente, respectively, have assumed the powers of delegate and have registered at the Conference, held in Babkha. The Minister of the Exterior has requested that another citizen apply to become a delegate to louden Baracão's voice at the Conference.

Exterior Ministry Needs You!

The Raspur Conference on the future of micronationalism has begun. First held in 2003, the Conference deals with several issues, including the establishment of YAMO, the Raspur Intermicronational Community (RAMIC).

The 2003 conference laid down the foundations for such an organisation in the form of a draft charter, and what the 2004 conference focuses on is the details and the purpose of such an organisation.

The Republic of Baracão has been fortunate enough to be placed on the exclusive list of voting nations, including Attera, Babkha and her dependencies, Cyberia and Shireroth. Observers have been received from Feianova, Gotzburg, Antica and Arminy.

So far Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar and Alarico Veto Julia, the Minister of the Exterior and el Presidente, respectively, have assumed the powers of delegate and have registered at the Conference, held in Babkha. The Minister of the Exterior has requested that another citizen apply to become a delegate to louden Baracão's voice at the Conference.

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Baracãoan Releases Banking Programme

Alfonso Rufio Castaneda, a citizen of the Republic of Baracão and a member of the Frente Popular, today announced the completion of his new PHPBank programme to the Micronational Council on Economics.

The PHPBank is based on the innovative phpMX programme that allowed an intermicronational currency exchange and banks for a large number of nations to be hosted in one place. The new development is a smaller version, being only designed for one nation. Compañero Castaneda stated that this was "a pity, but knowing that the source of almost all phpmX's problems lay in the converting code, this should make PHPBank much stabler".

One of the major features of the PHPBank is it's customisable, with currency, layout and image options all easily changeable from one central administrative control panel.

The PHPBank is freeware and is availible in a beta form to test here or to download here.

It is expected that the Ministry of Economics and Finance will take full advantage of the new PHPBank programme and use it in a massive overhaul of the national economy.

BBC election broadcast available

As soon as polls opened, the BBC's third broadcast, a special focusing on the election, was released. It is available, as always, in both Micronational Eye and the main Baracãoan forum. It is slightly shorter than the preceding two, at 3.8MB in size. This is due to the fact that no international news is included.

Monday, July 12, 2004

Polls Open in Bandera

After the confusion about when and how Baracão's elections would occur, the Electoral Commission, with the help of the Babkhan government, has finally opened polling stations across the Islas de la Libertad.

Sunday, July 11, 2004

Baracão Experiences Election Troubles

The Republic of Baracão's planned elections for the positions of President, Minister-General and for three seats on the highest legislative chamber, the Council of State, have seen more calamity and disaster rather than democratic progress.

The Electoral Commissioner, Rico Noriega, had experienced technical problems that were out of his hands, and has now been taken ill, suffering from influenza. However, these unavoidable problems were added to by Supreme Judge Rakesh's court order on electoral conduct. Made the day after the elections were originally supposed to have taken place, the Supreme Judge included a point that declared that the Frente Popular's closure of its forum was unconstitutional. The Political Bureau of the Frente Popular has chosen Julio Sanchez to defend the closure as being entirely legal. Sectarianism was fuelled by the court order, with Frente-hater in chief Thomas la Antonio labelling Baracão's largest organisation of any kind as "a party of neo-oligarchy" that maintained its power through "secretive upper-handed rule".

Discussion as to what to do next has begun in the Electoral Commission's headquarters, with the anti-Frente Presidential candidate Devante Covas indulging in more sectarianism, suggesting that the Chairman of the Frente Popular, Alarico Veto Julia, was an entirely autocratic ruler who wanted to "monitor how your [Julia's] entire party voted".

One of the oddest features of the election campaign has been the complete discrediting of Chirsto de Loutrado as a candidate, who, after reading a previous edition of Tiegismo Hoy in which his history in Cyberia was mentioned, began to embroil himself in a curious discussion in the Plaza, awarded the "Kucinich Award for Surrealism in Public Discourse" by friend of the Republic of Baracão, Scott Siskind. A new character was introduced to Baracão, that of Alessandro da Peoulas, who appeared to unconditionally support de Loutrado in a manner that was extremely similar to that of de Loutrado himself. Although he has denied that the two are the same people, de Loutrado's feelings were suitable upset for him to declare that he will resign his citizenship after the elections. As he is a candidate for the elections to the Council of State, this puts him in a curious position, as votes that he receives will be useless, although Tiegismo Hoy suspects that de Loutrado might feel the benefits of a protest vote.

Tiegismo Hoy today recommends that its readers also pick up a copy of the Babkha Sun and it's intelligent, objective and touching account of the Baracãoan elections.

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Baracãoan Election Day

Today, the Republic of Baracão will undergo its first complete set of simultaneous elections for the positions of President, Minister-General and the elected seats on the Council of State. Rico Noriega, who was appointed Electoral Commissioner, outlined his procedure whereby voters would register and be assigned a unique Voter Identification Number. Whilst these VINs had not yet been received by each citizen, it is expected that they will be sent out today and that the polls will remain open under each registered citizen has returned their ballot to the Commissioner.

In the Plaza in central Bandera, the candidates have been making speeches to crowds of citizens. The unusually-named Aliança Democrática Nacional, the powerful umbrella group comprising anti-Frente elements and nicknamed the "Evil Maniacal Bastard Party" by observers, released its programme which was taken to pieces by members of the Frente, most spectacularly Julio Sanchez de Frente, a member of the Partido Comunista Nacional that has proved his Marxist-Leninist theory by providing a deep analysis of the ADN. In reply to Sanchez's criticisms, Jose Barrio-Martinez merely offered the PSD's manifesto, which was similarly taken to pieces by Sanchez.

Council of State candidates have been making individual promies and election pledges. Thomas la Antonio, founder of the Nationalist Party, continued in his long-term attempts to subject diplomatic initiative to ochlocratic pressure, the reason that sparked his resignation from the Frente and subsequent tenure as a leading opponent of the government. He also told that he wanted to see the judiciary represented on the Council of State - something that has already been discussed and voted upon in the Assembly.

Diego de Almagro, the Frente's FNTMST candidate, promised to defend the diversity of the Republic through the protection of the minority. He emphatically stated that should the Frente loses its majority in the election, the Republic would soon see disaster.
Christo de Loutrado continued his intermicronational attempts to reform various states. In the tradition of his "New Hope" campaign in Cyberia, from which he was deported after posting pornographic material on the Cyberian fora, and his "New Democracy" movement that suffered at the Babkhan polls, failing to win a majority of votes, Loutrado appears to be supporting a "New Era" for Baracão. Included in his proposals was to have a system of elected governors, something which was widely acknowledged by Frente members to be a bad thing, being both unnecessary and bureaucratic.

The Frente's Partido Comunista Nacional released its manifesto, under the title "The People Are Sovereign", which included the point that the PCN "will aim to unite all those who fight for progress", with the group also declaring its support for the Frente Popular and a united front through which the progressive policies of the PCN could be carried out. The policy to create a "socialist state in which economic and political power are in the hands of the people" is likely to be implemented, with a PCN member expected to retain the Ministry of Economics and Finance under a future Frente-led government.

The Movimiento para la Cuarta República is standing candidates for the President and the Minister-General on behalf of the Frente Popular. Incumbent president, Alarico Veto Julia, and current Minister of the Exterior, Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar are running for the respective positions. In a statement released by the M4R, the President promised to reform the legislature and to create a system in which bills and amendments could bypass the Council of State, thereby decreasing bureaucracy and inefficiency. Carrar promised that his tenure as Minister-General would see inter-party co-operation, with Ministers being appointed on their merits rather than their affiliation.

It is not yet known when results will be published, but expect Tiegismo Hoy to bring you the news as it reaches our offices.

Saturday, July 03, 2004

BBC transmits second broadcast

The Baracãoan Broadcasting Corporation has just released its new broadcast focussing on the elections and the recent Antican crisis. While larger than the previous one, at 4.7 MB, the broadcast weighs in at about five minutes of audio, offering content beyond the standard news program. It is reported to feature a party election broadcast, marking the first time (in this reporter's knowledge) this format has been transmitted. It is available, as before, on Micronational Eye.

In this paper's previous article on the BBC, it was claimed that this was the second radio broadcast in the sector. This was untrue - previous examples include Radio Midgard, and the UPEC-based Revolutionary Studios. We apologise for this error.

Friday, July 02, 2004

Opposition announces candidates

The official opposition in the Tiegist Republic, the Aliança Democrática Nacional (National Democratic Alliance) has announced their candidates for the three elections in response to the Frente. The incorrectly named ADN is an anti-Frente umbrella group, self-styled as an "alliance of progressive forces" - it contains the former PNB, the Partido Social Demócrata, and the tiny Partido Obrero de Liberación Marxista.

While this initially implies an alliance of parties in similar style to the Frente Popular, it is easy to see that the vast majority of its members are or were members of the PNB, with two defectors rounding off the complement. Even though a great show has been made of union, with the parties standing "shoulder to shoulder", the ADN's command, lead by returning citizen Thomas la Antonio, has stopped short of declaring a second Frente.

The ADN candidate for President is Devante Covas, of the Partido Social Demócrata.

The ADN candidate for Minister-General is Jesus Pablo Santiago of the Partido Democrático Nacional.

The ADN candidates for the Council of State are:

1. Thomas la Antonio of the Partido Democrático Nacional.
2. Kuralyov of the Partido Obrero de Liberación Marxista.
3. Christo de Loutrado of the Partido Social Demócrata.

The shock choice of a relatively new micronationalist in the contest for the presidency, Devante Covas, may signify the ADN's acceptance of an inevitable victory by incumbent Alarico Veto Julia. The President's position is by no means unassailable, but for Covas it will be an uphill battle.

By contrast, the prospective Minister-General, the well-respected and pragmatic Jesus Pablo Santiago, recently nominated for the "Best New Micronationalist" FNORD, will pose a much greater threat to the Frente Popular. The ADN has made considerable political capital out of the long-term absence of incumbent Minister-General Antonio Vitores Ramon, whereas Frente candidate Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar has focussed on his strong record as Minister of the Exterior. A win here for Santiago would be a considerable victory for the ADN.

The Council of State candidates are micronational heavyweights; Kuralyov and la Antonio are famous, or infamous, throughout the micro-world, while de Loutrado is most noted for his work on "New Democracy" in Babkha. Given the similar reputations of the Frente candidates, the distribution of seats will most likely be determined by the choice of voting system, and in such a close contest, Electoral Commissioner Rico Noriega will certainly have a hard decision. It is rumoured that an STV (Single Transferable Vote) system will be in operation.

The surprise in this announcement is the ommission of de facto PSD leader Jose Barrio-Martinez, whose vitriolic attacks on the Frente administration have seen him compared to contraversial Supreme Leader of the PNB, Xavier Cervantes. Cervantes himself appears to have been airbrushed out of the equation, either lost to inactivity or determined impolitic. Whatever the reason for his dismissal, the new face of the PNB appears to pose a greater threat to Frente government than ever before.

Sunday, June 27, 2004

Baracãoan Elections Announced

In a not entirely unexpected move, elections in the Republic of Baracão were announced by Presidente Alarico Veto Julia today. Speaking to crowds in the Plaza de le Revolución, el Presidente called the recently-appointed Electoral Commissioner, Rico Noriega, to supervise elections to the President's office, the Minister-General's office, and to the Council of State.

The formulation of electoral policies by political parties has already begun. The Frente Popular's password-protected forum has seen a massive increase in its activity, with Frentistas organising their candidates. It is expected that the Frente will field:

· Alarico Veto Julia of the Movimiento para la Cuarta República for election as President;
· Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar, also of the Movimiento para la Cuarta República, for election as Minister-General;
· Juan Fidel Valencia, leader of the Partido Comunista Nacional, for election to the Council of State;
· Julio Sanchez de Frente, also of the Partido Comunista Nacional, and who has recently changed his name from "Koba", also for election to the Council of State;
· Diego de Almagro, leader of the Frente Nacional para la Tradición Minorcana y Salvación Tiegista, also for election to the Council of State.

With the recent re-organisation and re-vitalisation of the Frente Popular and the massive majority that it holds in all sections of the political scene in the Republic, it is expected that the Tiegist alliance of progressive parties will romp home to victory, securing a Frentista future of Baracão.

However, the might of the smaller parties is not to be underestimated. The newly-founded Partido Social Demócrata has been approached by the Partido Nacionalista de Baracão (which will, as brought to you exclusively by Tiegismo Hoy, shortly be changing its name) for an electoral alliance to defeat the "evil oligarchy" of the Frente Popular. Such a move was expected by most in the Republic, given the traditionally Frente-hating membership that wields power in both parties.

At the time of going to the presses, the candidates to be fielded by any PSD-PNB alliance, or by either or the parties independently of the other, was not known, and no member of either party had been nominated, although Tiegismo Hoy strongly suspects that the anti-Frente Thomas la Antonio will fight to become President on behalf of the PNB, or that the similarly anti-Frente Jose Barrio-Martinez will be standing for the PSD. Xavier Cervantes, Christo de Loutrado and Jesus Pablo Santiago are also expected to become candidates for one of the positions up for grabs.

Despite the Frente's power, a PSD-PNB alliance could secure them at least one seat on the Council of State, which oversees and regulates legislation passed to it from the Assembly before being sent for Presidential assent.

Saturday, June 26, 2004

Frente Popular Closes Doors

The Frente Popular, the Republic of Baracão's governing political party, today closed its doors to non-members. The decision, taken by the Political Bureau, was to ensure that the privacy of the Frente against the meddling of non-Frentistas.

In recent times, discussion between Frentistas has been interrupted by personae non grata making derogatory statements about the Frente. Whilst the Frente, of course, believes in the right to free speech, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic, originally drafted by el Presidente and other Frentistas after the re-establishment of the Baracãoan Republic, ending a period of anarchy in the history of the Islas de la Libertad. However, after much discussion between the Political Bureau and the members of the Frente, a motion was carried and voted on to close the forum.

Whilst all members of the Frente Popular should have access, el Presidente has called upon those who haven't to email him and let him know.

Friday, June 25, 2004

Baracão gets its first radio station

A new company, the Baracãoan Broadcasting Corporation, has just announced its first news broadcast on micronations.net. The BBC offers in-depth news, both foreign and domestic, in an easily accessible format. Critically acclaimed, this broadcast marks only the second micronational radio station in our sector - the first being the well-known Radio Politika, which received the 2003 Fnord award for best news program. Tiegismo Hoy encourages all citizens to download the 4.5 MB file, available at Micronational Eye

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Baracãoan Foreign Ministry Approached by Cyberia and Ratelon

The Democratic Union of Ratelon, a German-speaking nation, has approched the Ministry of the Exterior in Bandera to establish diplomatic recognition between the two countries. Professor Jerkov of Ratelon has also invited the Republic of Baracão to take part in the primarily German League of Nations. It is thought that Proferror Jerkov hopes to increase the interlingual participation of what Minister of the Exterior has said might be Yet Another Micronational Organisation, although with the participation of the larger and more-experienced German nations looks set to be a disciplined and active organisation.

The Virtual Commonwealth of Cyberia, through its ambassador to Baracão, Peter Hickey, has proposed a Treaty of Amity between the two countries. In line with the Presidente's hopes for a federal-style webring of information about Baracão, currently consisting of the Frente Popular's website, Ambassador Hickey has also hinted that Mike Phyle, Cyberia's resident "techno maven", will construct a homepage for the embassy in Bandera.

Tiegismo Hoy hopes that relations between Baracão, Cyberia and Ratelon can be furthered at the soonest possible juncture. Whilst Ratelon has not yet proposed any treaty, it is expected that Minister Carrar will forward the Cyberian Treaty of Amity to el Presidente for his signature in the coming days.

More Political Upheaval in Baracão

The political face of Baracão looks set to change forever, according to rumours circulating amongst the members of the National Assembly of Popular Power.

The Partido Nacionalista de Baracão, long the largest, best-organised and active opposition has seen its support and efficiency drop of late, especially with the recent departure of Jose Barrio-Martinez, and, most recently, Devante Covas, who has defected to the new Partido Social Demócrata. It has been suggested that the PNB has acknowledged their failings and have been planning a massive restructuring of their organisation. According to rumours, the PNB will change its name to the "Partido Nacional Demócrata" and concentrate more on their self-desribed policy of "Left National Democracy", first formulated by Jose Barrio-Martinez and Thomas la Antonio in May.

Spectators have suggested that the new Partido Nacional Demócrata will work with the Partico Social Demócrata, as the PNB has attempted to with the Partido Clásico Centrista, to bring down the government of the Frente Popular and establish a coalition government.

Given the political upheavel that has taken place in recent weeks, which has seen the Frente becoming stronger and more disciplined, the Presidente is expected to call elections when activity levels have risen.

Baracãoan Courts Busy

On behalf of the Republic of Baracão Presidente Alarico Veto Julia today asked the Supreme Judge, Rakesh Ackbar, to order Jose Barrio-Martinez, to comply with the Right to Signatures Act, which stipulates that citizens and visitors posting in Baracão may bear a signature consisting "of an image of 400x100 pixels, and / or four lines of consecutive, viz., page-broken text".

Whilst a degree of leniency has been shown in the past, it was felt that Jose Barrio-Martinez's signature, displaying the logo of the Partido Social Demócrata, was a blatant abuse of the privilidges granted under the Act. The image sported by señor Barrio-Martinez is currently 324x216 pixels in size, and considerably longer than alllowed by law. Despite being notified of this, señor Barrio-Martinez has failed to comply with part of the Act that says "the user will be bound to change his or her signature to comply", continuing to use the signature in posts in his party's forum. It is expected that the Supreme Judge will order señor Barrio-Martinez to comply with the law, whilst other citizens who use signature slighty above the legal limit have expressed their desire to change their own images. Compañero Almagro, leader of the Frente Nacional para la Tradición Minorcana y Salvación Tiegista, whose signature is only slightly above the limit, has asked the Presidente to provide one that is legal.

Also in the courts this week, the Supreme Judge threw out a case in the Tribunal Popular, made by Jose Barrio-Martinez against Alarico Veto Julia. The Supreme Judge ruled that statements made by the Presidente and later withdrawn had no "permanent damage" against the plaintiff.